Missoula to redevelop 8‑acre brownfield into about 200 affordable homes, mayor says

Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis announced that an eight‑acre industrial parcel at North Avenue and Johnson Street will be redeveloped into about 200 homes in a partnership between the city, the Missoula Housing Authority and United Housing Partners.

"We utilized an EPA brownfield funding to clean that site up. And now we are partnering with the Missoula Housing Authority and United Housing Partners to bring 200 homes to that site," Davis said, describing most units as affordable rentals serving households between 30% and 70% of area median income.

The mayor framed the project as part of a broader “city lands” portfolio approach intended to treat surplus city properties as a coordinated mosaic of sites that can advance multiple community goals. She said the parcel is adjacent to Montana Rail Link Park, connected to the Bitterroot Trail and near transit service that can reduce car dependence.

Davis linked the housing plan to the city’s recently adopted unified development code, which she called a new rule book that streamlines where and how builders can put housing and neighborhood commercial uses. "City council just adopted this unified development code," Davis said, adding that the code is meant to translate community vision into clearer, more consistent development rules.

The mayor said funding for the site remediation came from EPA brownfields programs; she also said the sale of land within the riverfront triangle redevelopment will contribute to the city’s affordable housing trust fund. Davis described the project as a mix of affordable rentals and an opportunity for home ownership on adjacent parcels.

The announcement did not include a public vote or a final construction timeline; Davis urged continued neighborhood engagement and noted a downtown open house on April 28 for a related safety and mobility project. She said staff and partners will continue to refine financing and implementation details.

Next steps: city staff will work with partners on project design and financing; neighborhood outreach and permitting follow normal public processes. The mayor invited residents to review final plans at the upcoming open house and to watch for formal city approvals in coming months.